Earthquakes to host Earth Day Celebration on April 23

SAN JOSE, Calif. – The San Jose Earthquakes will host an Earth Day Celebration, presented by the County of Santa Clara Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) Program, on Saturday, April 23 when they face off against Chivas USA at Buck Shaw Stadium at 1 p.m. PT. All fans in attendance will receive a reusable shopping bag, courtesy of the County of Santa Clara HHW Program.

The County of Santa Clara HHW Program aims to educate residents throughout Santa Clara County about the importance of recycling used motor oil and filters. Motor oil and oil filters are easily recycled at 80 locations throughout Santa Clara County. A full list of State of California certified motor oil and oil filter recyclers can be found at HHW.org. The HHW Program serves 15 cities in Santa Clara County, collecting and properly disposing of over three-million pounds of motor oil, paints, pesticides, electronic waste and other materials that need to be handled properly for the safety of our local environment.

The night will feature additional giveaway items as the Quakes partner with MLS W.O.R.K.S., the charitable arm of Major League Soccer. The first 5,000 fans will receive an eco-tip guide courtesy of the National Resources Defense Council (NRDC) and flower seed packets will be distributed to the first 1,000 fans, courtesy of the America the Beautiful Fund. Also, select fans will receive a Chinook Book, a book featuring discount offers at local, sustainable and healthy businesses.

Additionally, the Earthquakes have teamed up with MLS W.O.R.K.S. to offset the carbon footprint for energy used at the stadium that night. The Renewable Energy Certificates—from 100 percent wind resources—purchased from Portland, Ore.-based Bonneville Environmental Foundation, will counterbalance 100 percent of the electricity used at Buck Shaw Stadium during the day of the game. The carbon dioxide reduction value is the equivalent of more than 6,989 pounds.

Fans who drive a Hybrid car to the game will receive $5 off parking, while patrons who take VTA or Caltrain to the match will receive a $5 discount for a game ticket by showing their VTA or Caltrain receipt.

The Epicenter will also feature a number of green, sustainable businesses, along with a presentation from Our City Forest, a local non-profit whose goal mission is to cultivate a green and healthy San Jose metropolis by engaging community members in the appreciation, protection, growth and maintenance of our urban ecosystem, especially our urban forest.

In addition to the game day activities, the Earthquakes will celebrate Earth Day in the week leading up to the match with a nursery day. Quakes players and staff, along with the Shakers Squad, will also participate in a nursery day with Our City Forest on Thursday, April 21 in San Jose from 1-4 p.m.